| Method and apparatus for application of light to gums -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Method and apparatus for application of light to gumsUSPTO Application #: 20070021640Title: Method and apparatus for application of light to gums Abstract: Light having one or more therapeutic wavelengths is applied to a patient's gums. A mouthguard directing the UV-A, UV-C or both UV-A and UV-C light to the patient's gums is placed in the patient's mouth. The mouth guard is placed over the teeth and gums or between the gums and lips. The gums are then illuminated. (end of abstract) Agent: Orum & Roth LLC Ste 1616 - Chicago, IL, US Inventor: Thomas Perez USPTO Applicaton #: 20070021640 - Class: 600001000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Radioactive Substance Applied To Body For Therapy The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070021640. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/248,995 foiled 12 Oct. 2005 that is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/235,652 filed 26 Sep. 2005 that is a is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/140,272 filed 27 May 2005 that is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/076,169 filed 9 Mar. 2005 and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/926,209 filed 25 Aug. 2004 that claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/503,678 filed Sep. 17, 2003. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing light to gums. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for irradiation of the gums. [0004] 2. Background of the Prior Art [0005] Ultraviolet (UV) light can be used to treat a multitude of medical problems, including for example bacterial, viral and fungal infections, poisoning, fatigue, Alzheimer's disease, allergies and asthma, rheumatic diseases and arthritis, diabetes, hepatitis, and cancer. UV light sterilizes the blood and acts as an antibiotic. [0006] The UV light is applied either to the patient's skin or directly to the blood. If the UV light is applied to the skin it is typically provided to the patient's skin either with a wrap or lamp. [0007] UV light is commonly used to treat jaundiced babies. Because infant's skin is thin and the blood vessels are close to the surface, UV light is typical applied to the skin when treating jaundiced babies. [0008] Applying the UV light directly to a patient's blood supply is known as photoluminescence or UV blood illumination (UBI). UV blood illumination increases oxygen, destroys toxins and boosts the immune system. [0009] In prior art UBI, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient, up to about 250 cc. The body has about 5.6 L of blood. The blood that is drawn travels through a cuvette or glass chamber. The blood is repeatedly illuminated with UV light and then returned to the body. The process is repeated, typically a day or several days later. These treatments are time consuming, and require regular trips to a medical facility. In addition, trained personal must be available to provide the treatments. [0010] There is a need for a method of providing UV light to specific target areas of the body. There is a need for a system that is convenient for the patient, which does not require regular doctor visits. There is a need for a simple system that can be used by the patient in his home. [0011] There is a need for a system that allows for regular treatments such as pulsed treatment or automatic periodic treatments. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The present invention is a mouthguard that irradiates the gums. The mouthguard has a battery or other power supply and a light source. Alternatively, the mouthguard can be connected to a power supply and/or to a light source. The light source emits light at one or more therapeutic wavelengths. Preferably, the light is UV light at one or more therapeutic wavelengths. The UV light source is typically LEDs that emit UV-A or UV-C light or a combination of UV-A and UV-C light. The light pack or device is inserted into the patient's mouth, preferably over the gums. In one embodiment, the mouthguard preferably has one or more medical grade UV light bulbs. In one embodiment, the bulb is a cold cathode fluorescent bulb. In another embodiment, fiber optic strand(s) run through a tube to illuminate the mucous membrane under the tongue 174. Capillaries are plentiful and close to the surface in the gums, thus illuminating in addition to illuminating the gums directly, the patient's blood will also be illuminated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a light irradiation delivery device. [0014] FIG. 2 is the light irradiation delivery device of claim 1 inserted into a patient's mouth. [0015] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the light irradiation delivery device. [0016] FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the light irradiation delivery device. [0017] FIGS. 5a and 5b are alternative embodiments of the light irradiation delivery device. [0018] FIGS. 6a-6c are an alternative cold cathode fluorescent bulb for use with the sublingual irradiation delivery devices. [0019] FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive mouthguard. [0020] FIG. 8 is a front view of the mouthguard of FIG. 7. [0021] FIG. 9 is a side view of the mouthguard of FIGS. 7. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for application of light to gums Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for application of light to gums patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for application of light to gums or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for dehalogenation detoxication of halogenated aromatic and/or cyclic compounds Next Patent Application: Devices to resist migration and rotation of implants used in brachytherapy and other radiation therapy Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for application of light to gums patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.60112 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
